Promotional package



Jan. 28, 1969 N. PEREZ ETAL PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE Filed July 13, 1967LLONS USE 2a 30 5mm?- m 20o E [LES TRAVELL INVENTORS.

LOU/S N. PEREZ 000 A. BULT A TTORNEVS.

United States Patent 3,424,336 PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE Louis N. Perez,Willow Grove, Pa., and Eddo A. Bult,

Brussels, Belgium, assignors to C. J. Webb, Inc.,

Dresher, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 13, 1967, Ser.No. 653,197

U.S. Cl. 220-42 Int. Cl. B65d 41/18, 51/24 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A container of the aerosol type is described where the cap ortop, which is normally made of a plastic material,- freely rotates inplace on the container, and is provided with indicia-bearing surfaceswhich complement indicia-bearing surfaces contained on the containerbody or a stationary or independently rotatable portion of the cap.Selected scales and symbols can then be provided for computationalpurposes to enhance the utility of the package and regard for itssupplier.

ucts such as those packaged in aerosol containers are used Iintermittently and consequently are idle for lengthy periods of time.Such products therefore lend themselves to new packaging concepts.Normally, packaged goods are quickly used and the containers discarded.Where the container is to remain in the consumers work area for asubstantial period of time it is desirable that the product becontinually promoted by enhancing the utility of the product or productspackage so that the consumer is more frequently reminded of its presenceand benefit to him.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a container foraerosol packages and the like where movable components of the packageare printed with indicia associated with scales and quantitative symbolsfor providing a continuous service for a consumer.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an aerosol containerhaving a rotatable plastic cap which is constructed of indicia-bearingmovable components, which by rotation achieve variable equivalentsassociated by slide-rule theories to provide solutions to specificproblems.

It is another object of this invention to provide a promotional packagewhich continues to have utility for the consumer while the specificcontents are not in use.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the hereinafter-contained description of the promotional packageprepared according to this invention.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings embodiments which are presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying a circularcomputer in the container cap.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a specific computer adapted for use with thecontainer assembly of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a con- 3,424,336 PatentedJan. 28, 1969 tainer top embodying a different form of computer device,according to this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container top embodyinga different form of computer device from that shown in the previousfigures.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross section view taken along the lines 5--5of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross section view taken along the lines 66 ofFIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross section view similar to those of FIGURES5 and 6 showing a different form ofcomputer device, according to thisinvention.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a containerbody 10 provided with a container top 12 upon which is mounted a disk 16mounted to the top by means of a rivet 14. In FIGURE 2, the disk 16 andrivet 14 are more easily seen mounted to the top of container top 12.The computer shown in FIGURE 2 provides a convenient method forobtaining fuel consumption, which may be of utility to a consumer.

In FIGURES 3 and 6 a plastic container top 12' is provided for the topof an aerosol container. As is seen nore clearly in FIGURE 6, the cap12' is provided with an inner cap 13 which engages the top edye 26 ofaerosol can 10. The outside wall of cap 12 is then received in the spaceinside the bead 24 of container body 10 and is rotatable with respectthereto. Annular ring 18 is provided to engage the bead of can 10 andremain stationary when container top 12' is rotated or may be movableindependently or in conjunction with the movement of container top 12'.In FIGURE 3 the computer function illustrated is that of a gasolinemileage computer where the printed indicia are located on the side wallof container top 12 and on the top edge of annular ring 18, as well asthe outer circumference of annular ring 18. In this manner, the scalesand corresponding symbol indicia are easily seen and may be convenientlymatched for computation.

In FIGURES 4 and 5, still another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The container top 12" is provided with a lower lip forengagement with a can 10, more clearly shown in FIGURE 5. A ring 20 isprovided to be received in slideable relation with the lip of top 12".The computer scales are then arranged on the matching top surfaces ofthe lip of top 12" and ring 20. The symbol indicia may be locatedconveniently on the side wall of top 12" and on the vertical outer edgeof ring 20. Again, the cap top 12" may be rotated independently of ring20 by holding ring 20 stationary and rotating the top 12", or the capheld stationary or moved in combination with the movement of ring 20 toperform computation functions.

FIGURE 7 illustrates still another embodiment of the present inventionWhere cap top 22 is received on can 10 by engagement with the topmostbead of the can 10. The clearances may be so selected that while the top22 is securely attached to the can 10, it is still rotatable withrespect thereto. Indicia and scales may be printed or otherwise placedon the side of can 10 to match indicia on the vertical face of theflange 28 of cap 22. The computation may then be performed by rotatingthe cap 22 with respect to the can body 10.

It will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art that many otherembodiments are possible. That is, only a large cap is shown on theaerosol container. This is selected for purposes of illustration toclearly show how large numbers may be used for clear viewing and how theparticular structure is designed. Small caps received on the topmostportion of an aerosol container are very common and can be adapted torotate with respect to the can body, or be provided with rotatablemembers 3 such as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Likewise, only a gasolinemileage computation device has been illustrated, but it will be readilyapparent that a large number of computation functions are encompassed bythe present invention. The adaptation of slide-rule principles tomovable components to achieve variable equivalents associated toslide-rule theories can produce many useful solutions for a wide varietyof problems. For example, a typical multiplication-division scale may beprovided with numerical indicia and the appropriate scales to provide aninexpensive computer readily at hand in the workshop. Specificvariations are possible, such as,

for example, scales depicting angular-relationships whichmight be ofvalue in timing automobiles, setting dwell times and the like. Also,mileage-speed-time relationships may be depicted for easy trip planningfor the automobile owner. It is likewise contemplated that the numericalindicia may be arranged to provide convenient conversion functionsbetween metric and English units for selection of wrench sizes and thelike.

The wide application of the principle as used herein would permit manyuseful embodiments to be designed which are within the skill of anartisan in the art. For example, it would take no invention to adapt theteachings disclosed herein to other areas where such a package may haveutility. In the kitchen, baking times and temperatures could be arrangedon the cap assembly of an oven cleaner. Likewise, pleasing colorcombinations can be provided with an appropriate arrangement ofcomplementing colors on sliding scales provided on aerosol paint cans.Ironing temperatures and fabric combinations may be placed on starchaerosol containers.

It is also contemplated with the present invention that the structuresdisclosed herein may easily be adapted for imparting instructionalinformation for the use of certain products. For example, timed orsequential operations may be provided in indicia form which would permitthe user to have a convenient record of the operations performed bysimply setting the operation indicia in the proper relationship to anindex on the container top for easy reference in determining at a latertime what has or has not been done.

It is claimed:

1. A promotional package comprising a container body and a container topwherein the container top is provided with means for releasablyattaching said container top to said container body and is rotatablewith respect to said container body when attached thereto, saidcontainer body and said container top being provided withindicia-bearing surfaces which are movable relative to each other whensaid container top is rotated, the lowermost end of said container topbeing received inside the uppermost edge of the container body and saidcontainer adjacent to its uppermost edge being provided on its outersurface with an annular ring provided for rotation independently of saidcontainer body and said container top.

2. A promotional package comprising a container body and a container topwherein the container top is provided with means for releasableattachment to said container body and is rotatable with respect to saidcontainer body when attached thereto, said container top having arotatable member comprising a substantially flat disk element secured tothe top exterior surface thereof, said rotatable member having an axisof rotation concentric with the axis of said container body when saidcontainer top is attached to said container body, said rotatable memberand said container top bein provided with adjacent indicia-bearingsurfaces which are movable relative to each other and which may beutilized to yield desired information.

3. A promotional package comprising a container body and a container topwherein the container top is provided with means for releasablyattaching said container top to said container body and is rotatablewith respect to said container body when attached thereto, saidcontainer top comprising a cup-shaped member, the open end of saidcup-shaped member having an outwardly projecting flange circumscribingthe outer periphery of said container top, the outwardly projectingflange having means associated therewith for releasably engaging theuppermost end of said container body, the uppermost end of saidcontainer body and said flange being provided with adjacentindicia-bearing surfaces which are movable relative to each other whensaid container top is rotated to yield desired information.

4. A promotional package comprising a container body and a container topwherein the container top is provided with means for releasableattachment to said container body and is rotatable with respect to saidcontainer body when attached thereto, said container top being providedwith an outwardly extending flange circumscribing the outer periphery ofthe lowermost portion of said container top, a ring engaging said flangeand adapted to rotate therearound, said ring being rotatable withrespect to said container top and said flange, said ring having indiciaon one surface thereof cooperating with indicia on one surface of saidflange whereby said ring may be rotated with respect to said flange inorder to obtain desired information.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,450,949 10/1948 Gattacio et al.2157 2,739,564 3/1956 North 2l5-7 3,314,602 4/1967 Finkelstein 235-6l.l

JAMES B. MARBERT, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 220-1

